Fastener device for garments and the like



Feb. 16, 1954 J. FROHLICH FASTENER DEVICE FOR GARMENTS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 6, 1949 VENT OR.

AHorney Feb. 16, 1954 J. FROHLICH FASTENER DEVICE FOR GARMENT-S AND THE LIKE Filed May 6, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN'TOR.

BY Q

Patented Feb. 16, 1954 FASTENER DEVICE FOR GARMENTS AND THE LIKE Johann Friihlich, .Gotzis, Austria, assignor to" Henriette Mueller, Imguetli, "llhal, Switzerland Application May 6, 1949, Serial No. 93,368

Garments intended for surroundingparts of the-body, for example, bust and hip supports, sanitarytowel sup-ports, bodices, stays, corsets, corselettes, chemisettes, suspender belts, Waistbandsymaternity clothes, but also outer ments such as evening clothes fitting closely to the body and furthermore bathing costumes, etc. have hitherto been made completely closed. or even open.

The closed construction necessitates yieldable materialssuch as stockinet or knitted wear, in which the stitched bindin is replaced by a woven union--if elastic and yieldable threads such as rubber threads, artificial threads or the like are notinterwoven; The tube-shaped closed structures, with or withoutshaning, have disadvantages, because they constantly press on the enclosed part of the body, impede the access of air, prevent the evaporation of body perspiration and, in the long run, become unattractive, burdensome, injurious to health and. unaesthetic;

Consequently, the open construction of these holes and loops do not, or only inadequately,

withstand the strong; forces whichareto be expected. Moreoventhe'structures are put out of sha e by these stron tensile forces'fold concertina fashion and finally form a cord or ropelllze-rollor bulge.

Efforts have already been made to overcome these dfffioulties by stretchin the edges of the garments at the point of closure to form bands, these being joined after crissmrossing by a loop orbow. forces appear concentrated in the direction of the bands, so that the disadvantages set out above also arise.

Startingfrom the statement of object as thus defined, garments which ar intended for surrounding or enclosing parts of the body and which areopen when not in use are character ised, according to the present invention, by the arrangementor connecting members stiffening the edges of garment at the point of closure by longitudinal stretching beyond them, those limbs of the connectirr members which eifeot'the edge stiilening 1y connected with one another in t j sted position and, with a construction which is substantially parallel to the-'defining surface of the body,- despitethe in signiiicantthichness in the direction perpendicu With this arrangement, however, the

13 Claims. (Cl. 2-42) 2 lar to the defining surface or the body,ubeing soir defined in Width that the moment of resistance: of the limbs and their connection, which moment takeseffect in the connecting plane of the edges;:: is sufficient to take up the forces occurringcwith" normal wear of the garment withoutany. last-2' ing change in the shape of the connecting pieces" transversely of the plane of stressing.

The advantages of this connection are'obviousn -"Because of the stiffening of the edgesat the;

point of closure, the forces coming into being: are distributed absolutely uniformly overWtheu length of the stiffening, that is; in practice;-1 throughout the edge at the point of closuresincew the extent of the stiffening orreinforcing.willl bemade as long as possible. In practicegtherefore, there is exerted on the material of the garz-c ment, a pulling force which is distributed uniiormly over its entire edge Width, 50 thatthei. formation oiridges, beads and rolls is avoidedw. and moreover the garment does not go out of shape or form into concertina-like foldsk The garment retains Without modification the shape given to it at its pointof closure, even'when.it has been worn for a very long time. Howevergx by virtue of the flat formation ofthe connecting. members'the result is achieved thatthe lattch need only take up a fraction of the thickness of the material from which the garment is nor-- mally made. i

In this way, the connecting piece is practically completely invisible, for it is of such smallsize that the thickness of the connection member is compensated for by other means such as com pression of the material of the garment; which may be achieved by sewing together :and, more over, by thecoincidence of reinforcing-limbs and force-transmitting elements in the formation of a common member, the desired]-simplification-is obtained. It is also possible to providethe re-- inforcements alongside separate force-transmit tin elements. Despite thepossibility ofmaking the connection members surprisingly fiat,- it'-is' possible, by corresponding Width -mea.surementsin the direction perpendicular to the thickness extension, to produceeasiiy the moment' of're sistance which is essential for taking up the'forces:r without lasting change in shape of the connection members, since the forces "become: operative- \most favourably on the high edge profilelof the connecting members. Elastic chanies in shape are nevertheless, desirable, since they result in the connection members andthe garment edgesstiffened thereby at: the point' of closure pressiingparalle'l to thebody -deiining" surfacebnbear ing directly on said surface, so that the dimensioning of the connection members is clearly determined from these necessities and expedients.

All kind of means may be used to fulfil the requirement that the reinforcing limbs be connected with one another. A U-shape formation for the connection members is especially simple, but they may, however, also be made H, X, Y, A or V-shaped.

There exist two fundamental possibilities as regards the arrangement of the connection members, in that they may either remain per manently connected with the one edge or margin of the garment, except for laundry purposes, or they may be completely separable from said edge so that they are independent parts. In the first case, the connection members are expedie-ntly fixedly connected with the garment through one of the reinforcing limbs on the edge of the garment which is associated with and stiffened by said limb. This connection may be brought about in many ways. For example, the connection members may be sewn on the garment by one of the limbs, or the limbs may be sewn in, or it is also possible for them to be interwoven, etc. In the latter case, the connection members remain firmly attached to the garment even during washing, whereas in other cases they may be taken OE and re-sewn on to the material after the latter has been washed. When artificial fabrics are used as materials for making the garment or portions thereof, it i possible for the connection members to be stuck, pressed, riveted, soldered or welded in or on to other known types of fixing means.

If the connection members are not constructed as independent parts i. e. are already firmly secured to the garment before the latter is finished ready for use, then the free reinforcing limb must serve for the fixing on the opposite edge of the garment at the point of closure. This is effected by a recess for accommodating the rein forcing limb, being associated with the latter on the opposite edge. However, if the connection or attachment members are made as independent parts, then such recesses for all free reinforcing limbs are provided in both edges or margins of the garment, provided they define or form a point of closure. The most simple construction of such recesses is characterised by a slit-like formation, although it is obvious that other forms of accommodation pockets are possible which are adapted to the actual shape of the reinforcing limbs, these not being restricted to a strip-like shape, since they may be undulatory, bent, spiralshaped, arcuate, oval, elliptical or the like.

Moreover, as regards the formation of the recesses intended for the reception of the attachment members, there are a series of possible constructions which are to be explained in detail in conjunction with the drawing.

The present invention is based on the further recognition that no relationship exists between arising between the construction of the breast pockets and the measurement of the brassieres could not be adequately set even with a large range of articles, quite apart from the fact that smaller concerns, due to the purchase prices, changes in fashion, deterioration of the silk, and other circumstances which arise to increase the range almost to infinity, are simply not in a position to keep brassieres in stock in the neces sary sizes according to size of breast pockets, construction and measurement, to which must also be added further modifications according to style, colour, fastenings, positions of fastenings, etc.

Arising from this recognition, it is further proposed according to the invention to construct the garment of a main portion which is adapted to the shape of the part of the body enclosed or which enforces a predetermined shape for soft parts of the body, and of one or more additional insert portions, the length of which are to be made different in conformity with the actual measurements of the covered part of the body. It is only necessary to choose a main portion of a size to conform to the given or desired shape of the bust, when it is a question of a brassiere. Thereupon, subsequent to this selection, made without any regards to the body measurement, the insert portion is ascertained which will fit the brassiere to such measurement. There are also cases in which the anatomical position and formation of the stomach is such that, after taking meals, the brassiere previously worn resulted in pains or becomes so tight that no fas tening would hold. In this event, by selecting a longer insert piece, it is possible with little manipulation to carry out the necessary adaption without fear of difficulty or of the brassiere falling off completely.

This proposal, which possesses independent inventive importance, depends however to a great extent on the construction and completeness of the fastening means, i. e. the connection between the main and insert portions. It is true that the insert portions, which are preferably highly elastic, but which may also be non-elastic, can be joined to the main portion by buttons, hooks, strips or sliding clasp fastenings, but the nature of the connection influences the general seating of the main portion, so, that its exact fitting loses its meaning if such fitting is impaired or destroyed by bulging and concertinalike formations between the main portion and the insert portions, especially as these changes in shape are passed on to the main portion and cause changes in its position and shape. Consequently, this idea is only made effective in a fully satisfactory manner by the use or arrangement of attachment members reinforcing the edges of the garment at the point of closure between the main portion and insert portions by longitudinal extension over them, those limbs of the attachment members which effect the edge stifiening being rigidly connected with one another in the adjusted position and, with a construction which is flat substantially parallel to the defining surface of the body, despite the insignificant thickness in the direction perpendicular to the defining surface of the body, being so defined in width that the moment of resistance of the limbs and their connection, which moment takes efifect in the connecting plane of the edges, is sufiicient to take up the forces occurring with normal wear of the garment without any lasting change in the shape of the connecaces-puss tingipiecestransversely of the plane otlstressingo he; drawing shows. one; embodiment, of the invention'as applied-, for v example; to a brassiere, and shows further.- possibilities of applying the invention, for example, to eveningdresses.

Fig;;;.1 .'5hOWS.a1 viewofthe back of aaperson wearing .a l brassiere constructed in 1 accordance withlFigv 2.

Fig. 2 shows .the brassiere embodyingethe iii-- vention, this figure illustrating the closure-or fasteningmeansl and the insert .piecein: elevation and to an enlarged scale;

Fig.;;3 shows a section throughthe brassiere andL-the; fastening means on. the line III- H1; oi nal; to. .-a distortedscale in. which-the thicknessis enlarged relative to the length;

Fig.:,-4 represents; a somewhat modified con struction. of the connection or attachment members;

Figs 5 shows-an elevation otthe fastening of an eveningsdress with the connection inembers proposed inaccordance with the invention, the fastening beingeffeoted on the backof the dressy.

Fig-r6 shows a fastening at the side;

Fig.7 shows a section ofrthe back portion of aibrassiereq-in which the connection memberis heldby-a closure which is. secured by resilient construction of the stiffening receiving one limb of:-the connection member;

Fig.8 shows a sidelelevation of the connection member serving for thispurposc;

Fig.4) is a plan view of the point of. closure according toiFig; '7 and to a larger scale; and

Fig.-10 finally shows a sideelevaticn of the re inforcement or stiffening, seen in the direction of-.the.1ine.X+-X of Fig. 9.

Asrshown in the drawing the brassiere accordingto. Figs. 1-3 consists of a main portion which is accurately .fitted to the shape of the bust or which enforces a predetermined shape thereof, therends of said main portion extending onto theback to the wearer and being visibleat i and 2. Thismain portion may be made to any suitable shape and in accordance with all existing knowledge; itdo'es not form the subject of the present invention, but it is'of importance onlyin sofar as it. provides therrneans whereby the function allotted to it of. supporting and shaping thebust'is completely fulfilled as far aspossible; oy its actual shape, without any attention having to be paid torthe bust measure of the wearer. However," it is simplified in' accordancewith the invention by an insert portion a, which may be made in different lengths according to the bust measurement of the wearer, i. e. with the actual girth "of the part of the body to be surrounded; Inthe example shown, the insert piece 3 consists of ashortlength of rubber band. In place of the rubber band, there may however also be employedall other possible constructions which may include non-elastic bands: Moreover; it is not necessary to use asingle insert piece, as several suchpieces may be employed. Forexample; nonelastic bands are used if the main portion itself isa'madeiof elastic material/or includes elastic portionsxas is often the/case with hip girdles or roll-one in order that the abdomelrmaybe. pulled in.

In further developing the invention, the edges 4,35 ofthe main-portionends: 1, 2 forming the point of closure orfastening are stiffened by the connection orattachmentmembers, oneof the. two; limbs 6 of this connection member; which is of; U shape 1 being accommodated the asso 3 elated edges or'margin 4 01:5 .ofethelgarmentl' In the exampleiillustrated, this :is effected by the fact that the pockets or slots l3 and l 4 are formed bythesstitching, l and 8 extendingacrosstthe full widthlcof the; ends] and zgby the stitchings 9 v andultl which do HOlJBXlI-El'ld across the full width of saidendsand finally by the transverse stitchingsl land l'2,-the limbs a being accommodated in saiol pockets: or-slots. Dueto .1 the stitchings 9 and ld not extendingacross thefull width of the ends l Land-:2," an:;insertion opening id or IE is thus formed through whichthe connection member may be introduceol into or removed fromthe pockets oltslots. I Bfland M in the endsl and 2, respectively. Naturally; this isonly possible if the ends and 2 have adoubl'e-wall construction at this point, and this can be donerinmany ways. lnathe example illustrated, the double-wall effect OfithGflOIlgitlldll'lfll stitchings i9 and the transverse I edge stitchings Eiland 2!; the reinforcemerits 18:are'firmlyconnected or stitched to the of the limbs of the connection members, the thickness .of the materialinthe region of the. end 2 of the main portion-does not extend the.

thickness-of the brassiere main portion in the remaining portions. Whathas beenillustrated for the end 2 in the right-hand .half of Tig,- 3

also appliestothe: left end i of the brassire,

this latter end not being shown in cross-section.

In:order now :to bring about the connection with the insert-piece .3; the following further devices are provided.

The tension strap member 3, which isinlaid with rubber threads (see the left-hand side of Fig. 3) is likewise set in reinforcement .which, difiering from the fabric reinforcement libconsists ofrigid material such as, for exa'mple, light metal; rustless metal sheets or sleeves. sectionth'ese metal mounts are of U-shape, as shown on the left in Fig. 3. Disposed between the free l-imbs'and 23 of the metal mounts 2 1 are the ends 2%21101-25" of the tension strap memher which are associated with the ends I and 2 of the portion of the brassire. The limbs 22 and llf-"are connected together by rivets 2i) which so compress the ends it and that. the

thickness of the material ill in combination with that of the edgeselvage 27, or the thickness of the parts ii and it; including that of edge selvagc ii i; ifsnot exceeded in the region of the reinforcemerit it. Also formed in the mounts are slotslotawhich taperslightly. in a downward direction (not shown). Allowance is made for the widthof the connecting limb 3 i of theconnection members sac i by means of a recessedportion til: cngeachimount t l. Moreover, the transverse seams orstitchingsgi i; and... I 2 prevent the; limbs;

In cross 6 from slipping downwardly in the recesses I 3 and M.

It is apparent from Fig. 3 that the connection members 6, 29, 3| stiffen the edges 4 and 5 of the garment at the point of closure, formed by the ends I and 2 of the open-ended main portion of the brassiere, by longitudinal extension beyond the height of these edges, that the limbs 6 which effect the edge stifiening and the limbs 29 stifiening the edges 24, 25 of the insert pieces 3 are rigidly connected to one another in the adjusted position by the middle or connecting limb 3 I, and that with a construction that is substantially flat relatively to the body defining surface, in spite of being of insignificant thickness in the direction perpendicular to the body defining surface, the breadth of the limbs of the connection members is such that the moment of resistance of the limbs 6, 29, 3| arising in the plane of connection of the edges 4 and 5, or 24 and 25, respectively, is adequate in order to take up the forces normally occurring during wear of the brassire without deformation of the connection pieces 6, 29, 3! transversely to the plane of stress. It will be recognised that there are wide limits within which the breadth dimensions of the limbs 6, 29, 3i may fall. When the connection members are made of metal, experience has shown that a limb breadth of 4 to 6 mm. is quite adequate, whereas the thickness may be from 1 to 2 mm. This thickness lies within the elastic yieldability of layers of material in the sewing, so that the proposed connection causes practically no wear on the garments. When speaking of changes in shape of the connection members herein, it is understood that substantially permanent alterations in shape are meant; elastic distortions which serve to cause the connection members to press on the body surface are desirable.

The embodiment illustrated therefore shows connection members which are formed in such manner that, when the garment is not in the form in which it is worn, they are completely separable from the garment and are thus parts having a certain independence which are not permanently attached thereto. This arrangement has the advantage that non-textiles can be completely separated from the textiles, which is desirable but not absolutely essential for washing purposes. It is also possible to replace the mounts 29 by arrangements in accordance with the right half of Fig. 3. Moreover, it is not necessary for the connection illustrated to be provided at both sides of the insert piece 3. The tension or elastic strap 3 can be sewn on to one side or be connected in any suitable manner with the associated end portion. In this case, however, the advantage of being able to change the insert piece 3 at any time is lost to a certain extent.

By foregoing the advantage of being able to separate the connection members completely from the garments, one of the two limbs of the connection member can remain permanently connected with the garment, e. g. it may be sewn to it. All these modifications come within the scope of the invention, and no departure from this exists if one of the advantages that can be obtained is given up in favour of a corresponding simplification of the construction or arrangement.

The fitting of the brassiere, made in accordance with Figs. 1 to 3 is very simple. After selecting the main portion in accordance with the best possible support and shaping of the bust, and after selecting the insert portion or portions 3 in accordance with the bust measurement, the brassiere is fitted in such a manner that with the connection members inserted in the pockets l3 and M, the ends I and 2 lie on the front of the body. The free limbs 29 are now inserted into the slot 28 of the mount or the elastic strap 3 is slid over the limb 29. The brassiere is then twisted by light tensioning of the strap 3 until the breast pocket or bags accommodate the breasts. Thereupon, the straps or supports 32, 33 (Fig. 1) are stretched over the shoulders.

Fig. 4 shows a somewhat modified form of the mounts 24 and the connection members 6, 29, 3| for women with very big busts or women who, because of household duties, occupations requireing great activity of the body and heavy movement, or participation in certain kinds of sports, etc., cause especial strain to be placed on the brassiere so that the frictional coupling of the limbs 6 and 29 is no longer sufficient to hold them in their pockets or slots. The friction coupling could be strengthened by spring means. For example, this could be achieved by the slot 28 at the left of Fig. 3, being extended all the way towards the right and the free tongues thus formed being bent over, so that the ends of the tongues bear against one another when the limb 29 is not inserted. Upon introducing the limb 29, a counteracting spring efiect is produced by the spreading of the tongue ends in such a manner that the limb is held even against increased forces. Moreover, spring-mounted balls could also be arranged in the solid part above the slot 23, such balls springing into a ball-socket arranged in the limb 29. In a simplified construction, it is sufiicient to form a ball-like projection on one of the tongues resulting from the slitting up of the part 2%, the convex projection engaging in a concave recess in the limb 29. Obviously, the kinematic reverse of this arrangement is also possible. An even stronger securing means is naturally obtained by a positive connection which may be achieved in a very simple manner as shown in Fig. 4. For this purpose, the limb 29 has a hook-like projection at 34 and the breadth of the slot 28 is chosen such that the limb can be inserted into the slot 28 of the mount 24 from below, despite this proiection. In addition, the mount 24 has a recessed portion at 35. The hook projection 34 springs out of this under the effect of the constantly prevailing tension directly the limb 29 has been passed through the slot 28, and thus the attachment is positively secured. If necessary, for cutting out the tension causing the positive fastening, a supplementary piece may be introduced between the limb 29 and the right hand slot-defining wall. In order to be able to secure the limb 6 with the same certainty in the pocket i3. it is sewn at 36. Since this can be done with a few stitches, the breaking thereof before washing and the re-stitching after washing presents no difiiculties.

Fig. 5 shows the use of the novel connection members as a back fastening of an evening dress. Provided on the neckband 31 are connection members 6, 29, 3! having limbs of equal length and adapted to be accommodated at both sides in material pockets of the type shown at l3 and M. The marginal portions of the dress may obviously also be provided at the point of closure with mounts of the type shown at 24, perhaps of synthetic substances of a certain yieldable nature and of a colouring to match the colours of the material. At 38, the middle or connecting limb 3| bridges over a slot 39 provided for baring the back of the wearer. In this case,the bared 3 9' connecting -limbr m'ay'rconstitutewan ornamentatiomby making it off-precious metals and studding .it with .jewels, or it may be made as other :tormsof decoration.

Fig 6. ."shows' i the employment of the connectiontmembersiina side fastening. In a similar mannergbathing suits, sportswear and the like may-be so: equipped. There is no necessity for it to. :be restricted in any way to' ladiesclothing andtgarments, 1 since the invention may be used on menswear and boyswear. Thisapplies espe- .cially. to bathing suits, sunbathing suits, =spcrtswear, vests, close-fitting clothingsuch as iencing suits, dancing frocks and costumes, theatre costumes and the like.

5 In...the: constructional example according 1 to Figs. 7-10, the right-hand "limb 6 of the connection members'issewn, by means of holes tii-arranged therein, to the section iof the rear part of .the brassiere, the stitching being shown at '40. .wEor this purpose, a pocket ll is formed in theisection 2. by means .of the stitchingt'z. As in the; exampleaccording Fig. 4, the other limb 29 has. aLhook-like .projection' itd and the limbs 6 and 29 are interconnected by the portion (it. As compared with-the example according to Fig. .4, however, .itshowsithe differencethat the hookshaped. projection 34 is not accommodated in a recessed portion 35 of the mount 2 3, but the mount 2 1, which is U-shape in cross-sectiorris formed at 43 with hole-like recess into which theohook t ifits as soonasthe braisere is closed by. introducing the limb .29 into the slot/28 of the mountQZZi. I The .latter is formed at M with pressed-out tongues which are directed towards one another and which penetrate into theinsert portion 3, as shown in Fig. 9, andxthereby firmly connect. the insert portion 3 to the mount or reinforcing member 2- 1. 34 will remain with certainty in the 1 hole 43 whenthebrassiere is fitted and will not be pulled out of the hole 23 under actionof strong tensile force components, themount 2 3 is nollonger made closed at the lower end, as shown'. in Figs. 2 and 3, but is open at'this point. The" free lugs 24' and 24" thus formed are brought towards one another in such manner, that their distance apart, in the undeformed state, is smaller than the thickness of the central portion (it (see Fig. By these means, the springy lugs 24' hold the connection member, after the limb is has been inserted in the slot 28, in a position in which the hook 34 remains in the hole 43. This prevents the brassiere, when once fastened, from being accidentally unfastened again.

The examples illustrated in no way exhaust the possibilities of the invention, which may be carried into effect in many different ways.

What I claim is:

1. A fastener device for detachably securing together two adjacent edges of fabric material disposed in approximately abutting relation, and comprising, in combination, a relatively rigid mount secured to one of the fabric edges, a closure member connected to the other fabric edge and having a part cooperating with said mount to interlock with the same, said mount being provided with a longitudinal slot for receiving the aforesaid part of the closure member, and resilient extensions on the mount at one end of the slot and spaced apart a distance smaller than the transverse width of the slot, said resilient extensions being adapted to be forced apart as the said part of the closure member is inserted into the slot and to return to their original posi- In order .thatthe hook tion when :the said :closure memberpart :is in final position in the slot,whereupon said extensions resist disengagement of the closure member from themount.

2. -A brassiere comprising. a main body portion having oppositely disposed edges for securement toeach other, an insert piecehavingopposite edges between the aforementioned edges, and fastener devicesco'nnecting'each of the-edges of theinsert withan adjacent edge of-thebrassire,-each of said devices comprising a mount of ii -shaped cross-section receiving one of the ad.- jaoent insert piece and brassiere edges between the walls thcreof and secured thereto, .said edge being spacedfrom the forward, unsecurededge of the mount toprovidea longitudinally extending slot, a U-shaped hookmember of sheet metal comprising two substantially parallellegsand a connecting bridge member, thehook member==beingsecured to the other of the adjacent insert piece and brassiere edges by one of its legs,the otherlegthereofbeing constructed to be inserted in the said slot of the mount for interlocking the latterwith the hook member.

3.'A brassiere as defined in claim 2 wherein the forward, unsecured edge ofthe mountisprovided with a recess at one end thereof communicating with the slot, said recess being adaptedto receive the bridge-member and being of sucha height that the upper edges of the bridge member and mount are substantially flush with each other.

4. A fastener device for detachably securing togethertwo adjacent edges of fabric material disposed in approximately abutting relation, and comprising, in combination, a relatively rigid mount of approximately U-shaped transverse cross-sectionand receivingbetween its endsone of the fabrideclces andsecured to suchfabric edge, and a hook member of U-shaped form adapted to be connected by one leg to the other fabricedge, said mount having a slot thereinfor receiving theother leg of said hook memberfor interlocking therewith, the unsupported edge of the mount being parallel to the edge of "the fabric material secured thereto and being provided with a recess at one end thereof connected with the slot interiorly thereof, said slot being parallel to the unsecured edge of the mount, said recess being adapted to receive the leg of the hook member for guidance into said slot and being of such height that the ends of the mount and hook member are substantially flush with each other.

5. A fastener device for detachably securing together two adjacent edges of fabric material disposed in approximately abutting relation, and comprising, in combination, a relatively rigid mount of approximately U-shaped transverse cross-section and receiving between its ends one of the fabric edges and secured to such fabric edge, a hook member of U-shaped form adapted to be connected by one leg to the other fabric edge, said mount having a slot therein for receiving the other leg of said hook member for interlocking therewith, and a projection and a recess disposed on the interlocking mount and hook member leg adapted to secure such leg to the mount, the projection being disposed on the hook member leg and extending in the direction of the other leg substantially in the plane of the hook member, and the recess being located in the unsecured edge of the mount.

6. A fastener device for detachably securing together two adjacent edges of fabric material disposed in approximately abutting relation, and comprising, in combination, a relatively rigid mount of approximately U-shaped transverse cross section and receiving between its ends one of the fabric edges and secured to such fabric edge, and a hook member of U-shaped form adapted to be connected by one leg to the other fabric edge, said mount having a slot therein for receiving the other leg of said hook member for interlocking therewith, the unsecured edge of the mount being provided with a recess at one end thereof communicating with the slot for introducing the'said other leg of the hook member into such slot, at an angle thereto, the upper portion of such other leg being of tapered form.

7. A brassire as defined in claim 2, wherein the leg received within the slot is provided with a lateral projection adjacent to the free end thereof remote from the bridge member and wherein the forward unsecured edge of the mount is provided with a recess arranged to receive said projection for holding the hook member against accidental release from the mount.

8. A brassiere as defined in claim 7, wherein the ends of the mount adjacent to said recess are bent toward each other and are adapted to be spread apart as the said leg is inserted into said slot, said ends returning to their original position when such leg is in final position in the slot and acting to restrain disengagement of the hook member from the mount.

9. A fastener device for detachably securing together two adjacent edges of a garment made of fabric material and disposed in approximately abutting relation and comprising, in combination, a hook member of fiat, knife-blade form and of U-shape, one leg of the hook member being adapted to be achored in a loop of the fabric material at one edge of the garment so as to be covered with fabric on the surface facing the body of the wearer, and an eye-like mount of U- shape in transverse cross-section and adapted to receive between its limbs the other edge of the garment, such garment edge and the central bend of the U-shaped mount being spaced from 12 each other to provide a longitudinal slot which is closed along its longitudinal edges, the free leg of the hook member being received in said slot.

10. A fastener device as defined in claim 9, wherein the fabric edge received between the limbs of the mount is compressed therebetween to such an extent that the total thickness of the mount with the fabric between its limbs is equal to the thickness of the free fabric, so that the outer surface of the limbs is flush with the outer surface of the free fabric.

11. A fastener device as defined in claim 9, wherein the central bend of the U-shaped mount is provided with a recess at its lower end into which the central portion of the U-shaped hook member locks when the free leg ofthe latter is received in the said slot.

12. A fastener device as defined in claim 9, wherein the free leg of the hook member is provided near its outer end with a projection extending toward the anchored leg in the plane of such member, the central bend of the mount having a recess for receiving said projection in the interlocked condition of the hook member and mount. 7

13. A fastener device as defined in claim 9, wherein the hook member and mount are formed entirely of sheet metal, and are constructed and mounted on the garment symmetrically with respect to a median plane, whereby tension is transmitted continuously along and symmetrically with respect to the central plane of the fabric and distortion of the garment outline is avoided.

JOI-IANN FRGHLICH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

